Gov. Lachlan Macquarie
1762-1824
Governor Lachlan Macquarie was born in Scotland. Macquarie joined the army when he was just 15. He served in America and Jamaica. After returning to Scotland, he led a division of fifteen soldiers to India.
Macquarie continued to progress through the ranks of the army. In 1809, the British Government made Macquarie Governor of New South Wales. He arrived in the colony of New South Wales late in 1809 and started as Governor on January 1, 1810.
Macquarie made many changes that improved the colony. He closed down many pubs so people wouldn't drink alcohol as much. He started many schools which were built on Chistian teaching. He publically announced that men and women being together outside of marriage was not acceptable.
He believed very strongly that citizens should live with good morals as they are taught in the Bible. He cared greatly for former convicts. He encouraged them to obey the Bible and placed some in positions of responsibility. Macquarie also supported Bible Societies and the Sunday School Movement.
Australia moved on from being a land for prisoners to being a nation. Some say it was Macquarie who showed the way. Perhaps the words inscribed on Macquarie's headstone tell the story. They read:
